Step-by-Step: Drilling Holes in Your Glass Tank for Bulkheads - Page 26

bleedingthought · 03/01/2007, 07:03 PM

Ah, I see what you were looking at... Threaded/threaded. That is 2". But everything else is not.

Fishel · 03/03/2007, 04:34 PM

any of you that bought from Lau on ebay.. how long did it take him to respond to your purchase? was it immediate? a few days? i bought 5 diamond hole saws on the 1st of march (couple days ago) from him and paid that same day... i have not heard back yet?

i sent him a mesage, no response.....

medic29 · 03/03/2007, 04:41 PM

I think I got mine within a week or so. I can't remember how long it took him to acknowledge via e-mail. I gave him a lot of slack since he is basically on the other side of the world. I've ordered from him a few times and never had any problems.

Barto · 03/03/2007, 05:19 PM

same results here, 2 purchases, 3-4 days for email replies to email, 5-7 business days delivery (from my payment date)

necco · 03/14/2007, 04:43 PM

little off the topic of drilling, but a good bump for a good topic. I'm going to be drilling some holes for the first time on two 30 gallon breeders. I noticed that the original poster siliconed his bulkheads. I've never done this before, but am interested in the idea. My question is do you leave the rubber gasket against the tank and bulkhead in? or do you just silicone the plastic bulkhead against the glass?

dtaranath · 03/14/2007, 05:28 PM

keep the rubber gasket on.

JustOneMoreTank · 03/16/2007, 04:42 PM

I use silicone inside and outside the tank... and correct I also use the rubber gasket which is installed on the water side of the tank.

donald altman · 03/16/2007, 05:32 PM

I had to use some silicon on my rubber gasket to get it water tight.... don't over tighten you bulkhead it may crack it

NoCarrier · 03/18/2007, 05:32 PM

Here's one more thumbs up for the seller "lau" on ebay. He's in Hong Kong, but the holesaw was extremely affordable and it only took about a week to get to me.

donald altman · 03/19/2007, 11:24 AM

Agreed... I used the 65 for 1.5 schedule 80 bulkheads....
worked like a charm.. didn't take long and was pretty easy to do..
I took a picture after the first hole... I drained the tank about 8 inches an drilled with everything still going.. ... easy as pie.. no leaks... it's been done for awhile now.

TheVillageIdiot · 03/28/2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by donald altman
Agreed... I used the 65 for 1.5 schedule 80 bulkheads....
worked like a charm.. didn't take long and was pretty easy to do..
I took a picture after the first hole... I drained the tank about 8 inches an drilled with everything still going.. ... easy as pie.. no leaks... it's been done for awhile now.

Don,

where did you get your sch80 bheads? I am thinking I will drain the tank about that far and drill as well w/ everything still in it!

I think JOMT is going to help, it's reassuring to hear of others doing it successfully!

thanks,

Matt

swedish steel · 03/28/2007, 12:38 PM

Here is the link to Plumbing Supply where I have purchased my sch. 80 bulkheads. http://www.plumbingsupply.com/bulkhead.html
Make sure to make your conversion on required hole size to mm before ordering your hole saws. I got mine from Lau, as have many on this thread. HTH

marshman · 03/28/2007, 05:14 PM

i got a 90g AGA RR tank that i want to drill,two 1" intake and two 3/4 return for a CL,does any one know if the back is tamper?

TheVillageIdiot · 03/28/2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by marshman
i got a 90g AGA RR tank that i want to drill,two 1" intake and two 3/4 return for a CL,does any one know if the back is tamper?

Marsh, I doubt it, but just to be safe give AGA a call. I asked them about my 65g AGA RR, and they said only the bottom was tempered.

hth,

Matt

stevedola · 03/28/2007, 06:15 PM

AGA 90's back glass isnt tempered. I just drilled mine and was fine.

marshman · 03/28/2007, 09:03 PM

ok then I should start ordering the drill bits and the bulk heads,will see how it turns out. thanks guys.

muelpaul · 03/31/2007, 06:13 PM

Hello all, After reading through this entire thread several times; I have convinced myself to give glass dirlling a try.
I have purchased and paid for 2 diamond hole cutters from EBAY user Lau, it was hard not to due to his low cost. Hopefully I will recieve them by next week.

I am going to practice on a 5.5 gal tank I am going to use as a fuge.

I do have a question: How many have drilled their main tank without removing all inhabitants and how did it go? Or is this thinking a bit insane?

If all goes well with the 5.5 I am going to drill the back of my AGA 46 bow with drain and return lines.

swedish steel · 03/31/2007, 10:09 PM

muelpaul
The 5.5 gal tank has very thin glass, so don't be suprised that you find it hard to drill without breaking a pane. Certainly worth a try, though, and not an expensive loss if a problem does arise. Thicker glass is much easier to drill.

NealH · 03/31/2007, 10:53 PM

I had two 5.5's that I drilled. The problem for me wasn't the actual drilling, which when fine. The problems arose when even the slightest amount of pressure was placed on the glass--both of them cracked. In my opinion a drilled 5.5 is a timebomb.

muelpaul · 04/01/2007, 07:20 AM

Thanks, swedish steel and NEALH for your advice.

I believe if I place a support brace under the cut it should be fine, Like making a T out of scrap wood and making it just snug and placing it under the hole site.
If I just use the weight of the drill and take my time...hopefully it won't crack

I recieved an email from Lau, and the hole saws were shipped on the 31st, so hopefully within this week.

NealH · 04/01/2007, 04:05 PM

I know someone else who glued a square of acrylic with a hole cut in it on the other side of the glass before placing the bulkhead, and that supposedly strengthened it enough to keep it from cracking.

IkevinI · 04/02/2007, 07:35 AM

has anyone drilled 3/4" Sch 80 bulked heads? They are listed as having 1 5/8" outside diameter so I ordered a 42mm hole saw. I just wanted to verify that it is the right size.

swedish steel · 04/02/2007, 09:25 AM

one inch = 25.4mm and 5/8 = .625 x 25.4 = 15.875, so 25.4mm + 15.875mm = 41.275mm
Yes, a 42mm hole saw will be just right for a 1 5/8 hole.

JustOneMoreTank · 04/02/2007, 10:36 PM

Another order placed with Lau. More hole saws coming my way. Listen to the tanks shaking with fear. LOL

johno4 · 04/03/2007, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NealH
I had two 5.5's that I drilled. The problem for me wasn't the actual drilling, which when fine. The problems arose when even the slightest amount of pressure was placed on the glass--both of them cracked. In my opinion a drilled 5.5 is a timebomb.

The same thing seems to be happening to the ten gallon tanks I have been trying to drill. Is there a trick to keep the tank from cracking or is it a waste of time.

03/01/2007, 07:03 PM	#626
bleedingthought Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 422	Ah, I see what you were looking at... Threaded/threaded. That is 2". But everything else is not. __________________ -Thiago-

03/03/2007, 04:41 PM	#628
medic29 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pesotum, IL Posts: 2,478	I think I got mine within a week or so. I can't remember how long it took him to acknowledge via e-mail. I gave him a lot of slack since he is basically on the other side of the world. I've ordered from him a few times and never had any problems. __________________ Rick Current Tank Info: 20 gal display w/10 gal sump.

03/03/2007, 05:19 PM	#629
Barto Alleged Lounge Moron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: BigSkyCountry Posts: 459	same results here, 2 purchases, 3-4 days for email replies to email, 5-7 business days delivery (from my payment date) __________________ "Outliving our pets is the price we pay for the unconditional love they give us" ~Barto's Mom~ AUGUST 2009 TOTM! Current Tank Info: no more fish tanks, nothing, nada, gone!

03/14/2007, 04:43 PM	#630
necco Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MA Posts: 228	little off the topic of drilling, but a good bump for a good topic. I'm going to be drilling some holes for the first time on two 30 gallon breeders. I noticed that the original poster siliconed his bulkheads. I've never done this before, but am interested in the idea. My question is do you leave the rubber gasket against the tank and bulkhead in? or do you just silicone the plastic bulkhead against the glass? __________________ Tim

03/14/2007, 05:28 PM	#631
dtaranath Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 542	keep the rubber gasket on. __________________ ______________________ 220g mixed reef

03/03/2007, 04:34 PM	#627
Fishel Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 68	any of you that bought from Lau on ebay.. how long did it take him to respond to your purchase? was it immediate? a few days? i bought 5 diamond hole saws on the 1st of march (couple days ago) from him and paid that same day... i have not heard back yet? i sent him a mesage, no response.....

03/16/2007, 04:42 PM	#632
JustOneMoreTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 967	I use silicone inside and outside the tank... and correct I also use the rubber gasket which is installed on the water side of the tank.

03/16/2007, 05:32 PM	#633
donald altman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Florida/Georgia Posts: 632	I had to use some silicon on my rubber gasket to get it water tight.... don't over tighten you bulkhead it may crack it __________________ -donaltman3 Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef...

03/18/2007, 05:32 PM	#634
NoCarrier Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: camarillo, ca Posts: 158	Here's one more thumbs up for the seller "lau" on ebay. He's in Hong Kong, but the holesaw was extremely affordable and it only took about a week to get to me.

03/19/2007, 11:24 AM	#635
donald altman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Florida/Georgia Posts: 632	Agreed... I used the 65 for 1.5 schedule 80 bulkheads.... worked like a charm.. didn't take long and was pretty easy to do.. I took a picture after the first hole... I drained the tank about 8 inches an drilled with everything still going.. ... easy as pie.. no leaks... it's been done for awhile now. __________________ -donaltman3 Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef...

03/28/2007, 12:38 PM	#637
swedish steel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 102	Here is the link to Plumbing Supply where I have purchased my sch. 80 bulkheads. http://www.plumbingsupply.com/bulkhead.html Make sure to make your conversion on required hole size to mm before ordering your hole saws. I got mine from Lau, as have many on this thread. HTH

03/28/2007, 05:14 PM	#638
marshman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: stockton,ca Posts: 63	i got a 90g AGA RR tank that i want to drill,two 1" intake and two 3/4 return for a CL,does any one know if the back is tamper?

03/28/2007, 06:15 PM	#640
stevedola Master of my domain Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 3,466	AGA 90's back glass isnt tempered. I just drilled mine and was fine. __________________ Cool Club Current Tank Info: coming soon...

03/28/2007, 09:03 PM	#641
marshman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: stockton,ca Posts: 63	ok then I should start ordering the drill bits and the bulk heads,will see how it turns out. thanks guys.

03/31/2007, 06:13 PM	#642
muelpaul Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New London, WI Posts: 592	Hello all, After reading through this entire thread several times; I have convinced myself to give glass dirlling a try. I have purchased and paid for 2 diamond hole cutters from EBAY user Lau, it was hard not to due to his low cost. Hopefully I will recieve them by next week. I am going to practice on a 5.5 gal tank I am going to use as a fuge. I do have a question: How many have drilled their main tank without removing all inhabitants and how did it go? Or is this thinking a bit insane? If all goes well with the 5.5 I am going to drill the back of my AGA 46 bow with drain and return lines.

03/31/2007, 10:09 PM	#643
swedish steel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 102	muelpaul The 5.5 gal tank has very thin glass, so don't be suprised that you find it hard to drill without breaking a pane. Certainly worth a try, though, and not an expensive loss if a problem does arise. Thicker glass is much easier to drill.

03/31/2007, 10:53 PM	#644
NealH Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 20	I had two 5.5's that I drilled. The problem for me wasn't the actual drilling, which when fine. The problems arose when even the slightest amount of pressure was placed on the glass--both of them cracked. In my opinion a drilled 5.5 is a timebomb.

04/01/2007, 07:20 AM	#645
muelpaul Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New London, WI Posts: 592	Thanks, swedish steel and NEALH for your advice. I believe if I place a support brace under the cut it should be fine, Like making a T out of scrap wood and making it just snug and placing it under the hole site. If I just use the weight of the drill and take my time...hopefully it won't crack I recieved an email from Lau, and the hole saws were shipped on the 31st, so hopefully within this week.

04/01/2007, 04:05 PM	#646
NealH Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 20	I know someone else who glued a square of acrylic with a hole cut in it on the other side of the glass before placing the bulkhead, and that supposedly strengthened it enough to keep it from cracking.

04/02/2007, 07:35 AM	#647
IkevinI Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 62	has anyone drilled 3/4" Sch 80 bulked heads? They are listed as having 1 5/8" outside diameter so I ordered a 42mm hole saw. I just wanted to verify that it is the right size. __________________ "I find your lack of faith disturbing." Current Tank Info: 65 gallon, 30 sump/refugium, sps dominated reef tank, 2*(175W MH Icecap w/ Iwasaki 14K), 190W VHO actinics, EV-120 skimmer

04/02/2007, 09:25 AM	#648
swedish steel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 102	one inch = 25.4mm and 5/8 = .625 x 25.4 = 15.875, so 25.4mm + 15.875mm = 41.275mm Yes, a 42mm hole saw will be just right for a 1 5/8 hole.

04/02/2007, 10:36 PM	#649
JustOneMoreTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 967	Another order placed with Lau. More hole saws coming my way. Listen to the tanks shaking with fear. LOL